Do Hotel Manager's Understand? Who cares?

What is the Difference between Coaching, Mentoring and Training?

My Personnel Manager asked me.  

I was confused to say the least. “Of-course I know the difference I said”

I am sure, most of us are not clear about the difference between coaching, mentoring, and training. For many of us, these 3 are same things? I started to study straight away …

What was Mentoring? It is an informal relationship between two individuals. This type of relationship develops over time from a professional association or friendship. In most cases, the Mentor shares their experience and knowledge with you in an informal way.

You can consider anyone as your Mentor whom you consider successful and desire to be like. Your Mentor guides you through all ups and downs of your life and over time your relationship with the Mentor intensifies and can even transform into a long-lasting friendship.

A Mentor is normally from the same industry as you. A good Mentor offers guided learning and is an expert in their field or industry. Your Mentor must offer you ways and guidance to help you improve. Your Mentor plays a crucial role in developing and encouraging you.

What was Coaching? A Coach could be a person who stays with you for a more short-term period. The aim of Coaching is to ensure that you achieve a goal and once this goal is achieved, then the relationship can be re-evaluated.

A Coach could ask lots of examining questions of you. Some Coaches prefer to observe you during specific situations. Coaches can offer constant and gentle reminders to help you keep up with a particular activity. Coaches may offer individuals a way to resolve a problem.

Coaches can vary in nature and the specific task they are hired for. The relationship between a person and a Coach is completely professional. A good Coach is one who ensures that you are always focused and encouraged to achieve a task. They try to solve problems through questioning.

What was Training? Not simply classroom Training, on-the-job Training, e-learning, and other methods of Training are all appropriate in Hotels today.

Training is a more formal process to Mentoring or Coaching. Training is practised with well-defined learning objectives and is quite brief in comparison to the Mentoring and Coaching.

During Training, the Trainer shares their extensive knowledge and experience in the subject with the individuals. At the end of the Training process, it is expected that the participants have gained knowledge from the Trainer. But, it can be considered as a transfer of knowledge from one to many!

A Trainer is an experienced and knowledgeable person who intends to facilitate the learning process of another individual. If a person lacks knowledge or skills about a particular task then they require Training. Once the Trainer imparts complete knowledge to the Trainee and the Trainee is able to perform the task at the desired level of proficiency, then Training is complete.

I saw my Personnel Manager the next day …

“I am sorry I did not give you a proper answer yesterday, when you asked me whether I knew the difference between Coaching, Mentoring and Training … I was busy.”

“Coaching focuses on particular issues and is task oriented. Coaching is practised for short-term.”

“Mentoring is a relationship. It aims to offer a safe environment where a person can share their issues with the Mentor. Successful Mentoring relationships can last a lifetime.”

“However, Training emphasises on refreshing old skills as well as developing new skills and knowledge required to complete a specific task in our Hotel. Training is practised for short time.”

“I appreciate that Coaching, Mentoring as well as Training are important services, which can be a rich support for my growth and development. I appreciate it is important to have a clear understanding of them.”

“Thank you” I smiled.

She looked grateful … I think?

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My posts are intended for hotel workers, supervisors and managers around the world, who are (or want to become) actively engaged in learning and development.